Just Got Back From A Seven Day Caribbean Cruise...

[iamjoy]

here goes...ask me anything (except "what time is the midnight buffet?"), but I wonder with all the non political groups we have, why don't we have a travel forum?

We could even include information about more socially aware destinations, companies, etc...

[serryjw]

1. ...because I can't afford to go to Peoria!

n/t

[Fridays Child]

2. It's a good idea...

...eco-tourism, blue cruise ship companies (I think there actually is one), etc.

And it would be cool to have a DU cruise. I know the dark side has been doing annual cruises for a few years, but ours would be much better, of course. Maybe we could even persuade a Progressive luminary or two to host the journey.

Too ambitious?

[HeeBGBz]

3. I've thought of that before

I would participate.

You weren't on the cruise with the Big Wave were you?

[iamjoy]

14. Uh, Oh...What's the Big Wave

I was on Royal Caribbean.

[fudge stripe cookays]

19. A Norwegian line ship

got hit with a huge 7 story wave...flooded a bunch of cabins, people thought they were going to sink, etc.

Sounded really scary! Was on the news this morning. Norwegian Dawn, I think they said. Bahamas cruise.

FSC

[MrScorpio]

4. How much were the free drinks?

[Guy Fawkes]

5. What time was the noon buffet?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. Was the staff mostly American or mostly foreign?

The one time I went on a cruise (at age 13 with my parents and grandmother), the ship was all staffed by Italians. Our table had two darling waiters who treated me, my mother, and my grandmother like royalty.

[physioex]

7. I think it is more saturated...

With Hatians, South American, Eastern Europeans and the like. Most of the staff come from say "second world countries".

BTW. I hope the person that started this thread was kind enough to leave a tip for the housekeeping staff and the others that served him.....

[amazona]

12. kind enough? if you don't your credit card is charged

The tip is not voluntary. I think it's $10 a day for the steward (housekeeper) on most cruises. It was on ours. There's also tips for your waiters, wine steward (if you use him) etc. It's all in the brochure.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[physioex]

13. OK...My mistake.

Never been on a cruise.

[iamjoy]

15. Tips Are Voluntary, But Expected

They don't automatically charge you, but it is kind of like if you go to a sit down restaurant, you don't stiff the server.

On most "American cruise ships (Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, etc): The cabin attendents and dining room staff are mostly eastern European (former Soviet block), Caribbean and Asian (Thailand, Phillipines). The entertainment staff is mostly American, British and Canadian. The senior staff or officers is often Western European (France, Spain, Portugese) or from Italy.

[barackmyworld]

8. I was going to suggest a travel forum

we could share tips, good websites, how to not get our dirty american asses kicked overseas...etc

[tinfoilinfor2005]

9. I just got back from Nassau last night...did your ship stop there?

Wouldn't it be funny if we passed each other in the straw market?

[iamjoy]

16. Not Nassau

Been there, done that, bought the magnet.
Being from Florida Bahamas cruises are relatively easy.

This one left from San Juan and went to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados.

[DELUSIONAL]

10. Which cruise line? What islands did you see?

[iamjoy]

17. Royal Caribbean

for islands, see post above

[amazona]

11. where all did you go?

I was going to cruise the Caymans and, I think, Jamaica a few years back but the cruise line went out of business. Boo hiss!

I did some cruises of eastern Mexico such as Tulum before.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[wakeme2008]

18. 15 cruises,,, last one in Feb Amazon

Manaus Brazil to Fort Lauderdale.... RSSC Mariner. :)

LOL What tips?

What charge for wine/drinks at dinner?